Partner – Utica Office

Ronald J Wargo, CPA, 01/03-present; public accounting firm with concentration in tax and closely held businesses.

Anderson Co. Group, 11/05-1/07, Chief Financial Officer, responsible for all financial functions of three separate business groups: parent + two subsidiary staffing companies doing approx $300M in payroll; Lloyd’s of London insurance brokerage company in the UK + two US insurance brokerage subsidiaries; and a real estate development/construction group.

“In high school I wanted to become a teacher… until I took accounting. I loved math and accounting and never looked back. I took the CPA track at Utica College and started at Gustafson two weeks after graduation in 1989.

“Now I get to be a teacher one-on-one with my clients. I teach them ways to prepare their books that saves them time and money…and that makes sense for both of us. And through our consultations I help my clients better understand their businesses. They also like the fact that we’re here for them all year, not just during tax season.”

Julie started her career in accounting immediately after graduating from Utica College with a Bachelor of Science degree in May of 1989. She started with Gustafson & Co. in the same month and has been with the firm ever since. She obtained her CPA in 1993 and today is partner at the Canastota office specializing in tax for business, individuals, estates, and trusts.

Julie and her daughter live in Oneida Castle. She’s Treasurer of the Clayville Library Association, member and past-president of the Mohawk Valley Business Women’s Network, and Church Council President and Worship Committee Chair at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church. She’s fond of reading novels, mostly mysteries, science fiction/fantasy and political intrigue.

“All of the partners here have a significant amount of client interaction and I love that…working with and teaching my clients…we really become friends. And we go out and visit our clients regularly, especially if they have an emergency. We’ll stop in to see them, no problem.

“A big advantage at Gustafson & Wargo is that my partners and I are part of the same team. We present our clients’ situations to each other all of the time. And not all firms work that way. Between all of the CPAs at G&W, our clients get the best expertise there is. ”

Liz graduated from Utica College in 1991 with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting. She joined Gustafson & Co. right after graduation and has been there ever since. She’s now a partner working from the Utica office. Her expertise is in small business accounting, governmental audits, and counseling clients with advice on small business.

Liz and her two children live in Whitesboro, New York. Her hobbies revolve around the kids: field hockey, karate, volleyball, orchestra, cheerleading and more. She also teaches religious education at Our Lady of Lourdes parish in Utica, NY.